Cessna T210R N6390U

Summary

On 8 February 2007 at about 22:44 local time, a Cessna T210R registered N6390U was involved in an accident near Rexburg, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 February 2007 at 22:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Rexburg, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Rexburg-Madison Cty Airport (RXE)

Coordinates

43.8178, -111.8006

Aircraft

Cessna T210R

Registration

N6390U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rexburg → Lincoln

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07FA061

1 person died.

The loss of engine power due to the contamination of the fuel manifold valve, and the pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known maintenance discrepancies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with the ground and obstacles following a loss of engine power during takeoff. Witnesses reported the engine losing power during takeoff and the airplane entered a sharp right bank. The airplane then collided with obstacles and terrain. Post accident examination of the engine showed that debris coated the inlet side of the fuel manifold valve which is separated from the outlet side by a screen. When fuel enters the manifold valve, it comes through the screen, and eventually out to the fuel injector nozzles. Due to the amount of debris on the inlet side of the manifold valve, injector fuel pressure could not be obtained above 213 psi (specifications were for 250 psi). With the fuel pump pressure at 83 psi (specifications were for 32.5 psi), at RPMs above 1,500, the fuel pressure may have been excessive, dependent upon the distribution of the debris within the valve. An aviation maintenance technician and a family member reported that the pilot had been experiencing engine trouble during takeoff, similar to the circumstances surrounding the accident, and to correct the problem he would adjust the mixture setting. This adjustment was most likely due to the excessive fuel pressure at the pump, set as a result of the low fuel pressures due to the contaminated manifold valve. As the system pressure increased, the debris generally limited the fuel flow pressure. However, because the debris could move within the valve, the pilot most likely experienced erratic fuel flow pressures. There was no maintenance entry for the adjustment of the fuel pump, nor was any maintenance of the manifold valve noted. Both of these components were remanufactured during the engine overhaul approximately 6.5 years prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.